Tom Yun

1. Name: Tom Yun
2. An Approved Topic



The expression "forgive and forget" is commonly used in minor conflicts and faults that end in a simple apology. This is not to say that the phrase cannot apply to much more serious wrongdoings. For instance, Nelson Mandela forgave the people who sent him to prison for fighting racism. In John Wyndham's novel, The Chrysalids, a similar situation occurs. The people of Waknuk have done terrible things to the Deviations such as sterilization, banishment, and execution solely due to their intolerance toward the Deviations. However, the people of Waknuk can be forgiven for their treatment of the Deviations as they do not know that discrimination and abuse against deviations is wrong.

The people of Waknuk have only been taught to fear the deviations and to discriminate against them. In our society, intolerance and discrimination is considered wrong because we are taught at home and at school to respect each other. However in Waknuk, the reverse is true. In David’s life, he is frequently reminded by his at home that "The Norm is the image of God" (pg. 27) and and a mutant is "The thing accursed in the sight of God and man" (pg. 37). At school, he also has a class called “Ethics”. He explains that “Ethics was why you should, and shouldn't, do things.” (pg. 40). In this class, the children learn to discriminate against the Deviations. If children are taught bigotry at a young age, what they have learned would also carry over to their adulthood.

The people of Waknuk believe that Deviations are a disgrace against God. According to the Definition of Man on page 13, "And any creature that shall seem to be human, but is not formed thus is not human. It is neither man nor woman. It is a blasphemy against the true Image of God, and hateful in the sight of God." The people of Waknuk believe that these are God’s words. They have immense respect for God so they would not dare to question what they think He believes. Therefore, the people of Waknuk believe it is their duty to eliminate the Deviations as it states on page something, "The duty and purpose of man in this world is to fight unceasingly against the evils that Tribulation loosed upon it."


3rd Body main idea: The people of Waknuk fear that if they express support for deviations and disagree with Waknuk's ways, they will go to prison. "concealment of a Blasphemy -- not reporting a human deviation -- is a very, very serious thing. People go to prison for it." (make sure you connect this idea to your thesis)


3. Brainstorming Worksheet
4. Essay Outline
5. First Draft of your Essay
6. Peer Comments: Joshua - Introductory Paragraph , Nikie - Body Paragraphs , Loren - Concluding Paragraph
7. Good Copy in MLA format